Toy windmill



July 21, 1925; 1,546,846

' H.P. LONG I TOY WINDMILL Filed Jan. 7, 2 Shets-Sheer. 1

WITNES ES ATTORNEY July 21, 1925.

H. P. LONG 'TOY WINDMILL Filed Jan. 72-1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOI Patented Judy 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES HENRY 1?. LONG, OF.KING- CITY, MI$SOURL TOY WI'NDMILL.

Application filed January 7, 1924. Serial No. 684,830.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY P. LONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at King City, in the county of Gentry and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful limprovements in Toy Windmills, of which the following is a specification.

This. invention relates to toy windmills.

The object is to provide a toy windmill which may be cheaply manufactured from sheet metal and so combined that the several parts may be packed in knock-down condition in a box or carton and sold at a low cost, to be later set up in proper shape for operation by the purchaser.

Another object is to provide a toy of this class having simple fastening means which may be easily manipulated by a child for setting up the tower and mounting the windmill at the top, the wheel being free to revolve and the vane to rotate upon actuation by the air currents, and having other features in connection therewith in imitation of a genuine windmill of full size, the device being capable of manufacture in different sizes, for use indoors or in larger sizes as an ornament uponfront lawns.

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, it being understood that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not to be confined to strict conformity with the showing thereof but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications mark no ma terial departure from the salient features of the invention, as specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy windmill constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, through the upper portion of the device;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of a tie plate used in connecting the legs or standards to the upper platform;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective viewshowing the manner of connectingthe truss beams to the tower and fastening the ladder in place;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating the same subject matter;

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view showing the fastening means on the legs or standards for securing the truss beams in place thereon.

Referring to Figure l of the drawings, there is shownatoy windmill inset up position and ready for use, the same including a tower formed in imitation of the usual toweiyand which may be made of any desired proportionsor height depending upon the use to which the device is to be put, that is, the same may be small for indoor use or play purposeaorof greater dimensions as when placed upon a lawn.

The tower comprises legs or standards 1 preferably formed of tin or other sheet metal bent longitudinally to forrnwhat are known angle irons, and adjacent 'to'the lower ends of each standard, the metal of each wing is 'slitted to provide tongues 2, one located above the other and oppositely directed, that is one tongue extends upwardly and the other downwardly. Pairs of tongues 2 are also provided at intermediate points along the standards depending on the height of the tower to be built, the form illustrated having only one pair of intermediate tongues.

Adapted to be engaged by the tongues 52 are truss beams 3 arranged horizontally around the tower and adapted to connect the legs or standards together. The truss beams are all madein one piece of sheet metal in the form of an elongated strip of sufficient length to surround the standards at the desired elevation, it being of course understood that the said standards or legs are inclined toward each other at the top and are preferably four in number.

The stripcomprising the beams 3 is slitted part way across at intermediate points, as indicated at 4:, and adapted to be bent at right angles at these points to [it the tower, the said slits being so located that the ends of the strip are positioned midway between two adjacent legs or standards and the ter minals are slightly overlapped.

In applying the truss beams to the legs the tongues 2 may be bent to stand straight;

out for the reception of the, same and afterwards bent 1n overlapping relation to rigidly connect the same. The strip is provided adjacent to one end with a transversely disposed slit 5, and the other overlapping end is provided with a projecting tongue 6 which is then bent through said slit and clinched as clearly shown in Figures and ti.

Adjacent to the ends of each strip comprising the truss beams and spaced from the fastening means, are other transversely disposed slits 7 for the purpose of securing a ladder in position, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The ladder is formed of a single piece or strip of sheet metal stamped and bent to provide legs 8, having their longitudinal marginal portions angularly bent, and said legs being connected together by integral rungs 9 extending entirely to the top thereof.

The angularly bent marginal portions are provided with cut out portions 10 to fit the truss beam 3 having the joint therein, and the legs 8, midway of said cut out portions are provided with integral tongues 11, which are projected through the aforesaid slits 7 in the truss beam and then bent over, as shown in Figure 6, to securely bmd the ladder to the tower.

The top ends of the legs or standards 1 and the ladder are all flush, and the lower ends may be suitably mitered to squarely lit the ground, as will be understood, though this is not necessary.

A spr ader plate 12, rectangular in shape, is placed within the upper ends of the standards, the top face being flush therewith (see Fig. 2), and said plate is provided with marginal depending flanges 13 which are flared outwa "dly to agree with the angularity of the standards and act to provide an extended bearing upon the inner faces of the angles thereof.

A second plate 14, which may be termed a tie plate is placed over the spreader plate 12 and upon the upper ends of the legs or standards, and the same, which is of slightly greater area, is provided with outwardly flared, depending marginal flanges 15 arranged at an angle to agree with the inclination of the legs and adapted to bear against the outer faces of the same.

The plates 12 and ll are each provided with central apertures registering with each other and adapted to receive fastening means about to be explained.

A platform 17, preferably circular i. form, though the same may be square, l agonal or any other shape and formed sheet metal, is l placed upon the upper plate 14 and extends out around and completely covers the same, the outer marginal. edge thereof being provided with a depending flange 18 to strengthen the platform and to l. the upper ends of the legs and the COliCt courting plates, the center of the platform messes being similarly provided with an aperture 16.

hilioun'ted upon the platform 17 there is an upstanding pedestal 19 preferably conical in shape and formed of sheet metal, the lower, larger end being open, and the smaller e d being provided with a head 20 having central aperture for the reception of a single tie bolt 21, which traverses the alined apertures of the spreader plate,v tie plate and platf rm respecti -icly, and

e which is pro. act, at its lover end with a head 21 to bear against the under of c a washer being the said spreader plat preferably interposd t icrebetween.

The bolt 21 extends somewhat above the upper end of the pedesta and is there screw threaded, a nut a?) being screwed down upon the same to bear against the upper end of the pedestal to bind the parts rigidly together, the flaring flanges 13 and 1:) of the plates serving to grip the upper ends of the legs or standards and prevent the mounted parts from accidentally becoming loose therefrom.

hlounted on the upper threaded extremity of the bolt, there is a cross head 25 prefcrably formed of suitable cast metal, and pro vided with vertical bore or passageway 25 to receive said bolt. The cross head is preferably of tapered formation, and is provided at its smaller end with a horizontal spindle adapted to receive the hub por tion of a circular fan 27 of any desired form, and having its outer end threaded for the reception of a nut 28 which prevents the f n from dislodgment while permitting its free rotation upon sait. spindle. V

V The cross ad, at its other or larger end is provided with a vane of conve tional form and connected to the same in any desired manner, the same serving, in a well lqnown manner, to direct the rotary tan into he current of air which may be present when the device is installed out ofdoors, the cross head freely rotating ahoi 7 the vertical spindle formed by the upper end of the tie bolt 21, which constitutes the single means for fastening the parts t us at the top and to pivot the windmill.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a simple, cheaply inainilhctured and scmbled to windn'iill has been provided.v which may be set up by a child toprovide amusement and entertainment; that the 1nanner of fastening the several parts together provides a rigid and durable construction which cannot be easily brolten or distorted; and that when the parts are suitably coated with paint the device may be made very attractive and capable of resisting weather if used out of doors.

W hat is claimed is:

1. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards, truss beams connecting the standards, a platform supported on the. upper ends oi the standards, a wine: mill supported above the platform, means located between the platform and the upper ends of the standards to prevent axial movement of the latter, and a single bolt traversing said means, platform and windmill :for holding them in operative position.

2. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards, truss beams connecting the standards, a platform supported on the upper ends of the standards, a cental pedestal mounted on the platform, an inner spreader plate located between the upper ends of the standards, an outer tie plate resting on the upper ends or the standards and bearing on the underside 01 the platform, a vertical bolt traversing said plates and the platform and extending through and above the pedestal, means for binding the parts together, and a windmill mounted for rotation on the upper end of the said bolt.

3. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards, a s )reader plate having depending marginal flanges formed to lit between the upper ends oi the standards and provided with a central aperture, a tie plate having depending marginal flanges formed to fit around the outside of the upper ends of the standards while resting on the spreader plate and provided with a central aperture, a platform having a central aperture and concentrically mounted on the tie plate, a tubular pedestal centrally mounted on the platform and surrounding the several alined apertures, a vertical bolt traversing the latter and extending through and above the pedestal, a nut threaded on the bolt to bind the parts together, and a windmill mounted for rotation on the upper end of said bolt.

i. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards, co-acting plates mounted at the tops of the standards and having marginal. flanges for clamping the upper ends of the standards and prevent their relative movement, means mounted above said plates for supporting a windmill, and a bolt traversing said means and the plates to hold the parts together and to ause the flanges to 'l rictionally engage the standards.

5. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards, co acting plates mounted at the tops of the standards, one of said plates constituting a spreader plate having depending, outwardly-flared marginal flanges fitting between the standards at their upper ends, the other plate constitutinr a tie plate adapted to rest on the spreader plate and on the standards and having depending outwardly-flared marginal flanges fitting around on the outside of the stand ards at their upper ends, means mounted on the tie plate for supporting a windmill, and a central. bolt traversing said means and said plates to bind the parts together and c0 7 the said flanges to clamp the standards and to prevent their relative movement.

6. ii toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards formed or thin metal bent to term angles, means for supporting a. wind mill at the top of the standardsfout wardly extending tongues struck from the metal at the lower ends and at intermediate points of the standards, truss beams formed or a continuous strip of metal scored intermediately of its ends to permit the same to be bent and formed into a rectangle, said rectangle being adapted to be placed around the standards and between the tongues, and said tongues to be bent over to hold the same.

7. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards termed or thin metal bent to form angles, means for supporting a wind mill. at the top of the standards, outwardly extending tongues struck from the metal. at the lower ends and at intermediate points of the standards, truss beams formed of a continuous strip of metal scored inten mediately of its ends to permit the same to be bent and formed into a rectangle, said strip having a tongue at one end and a. matching slot at the other end for securing the said ends together midway between two standards after the rectangle has been secured by the aforesaid tongues.

S. A toy windmill comprising upwardly converging standards formed of thin metal bent to term angles, means for supporting a windmill at the top of the standards, outwardly extending tongggues struck from the metal at the lower ends and at intermediate points the standards, truss beams formed eat a continuous strip of metal scored intermediately oi its ends to permit the same to be bent and formed into a rectangle, said strip having transverse slots in spaced relation to the ends thereof, fastening means at said ends, a one piece metallic ladder extending from bottom to top of the device and overlapping the alined joints in the strips, said ladder having inwardly directed tongues adapted to be introduced into the transverse slots of the rectangular strip and to be bent over to hold the ladder in place.

9. it toy windmill comprising spaced upwardly converging standards, a continuous metal strip bent to surround the standards to act as truss beams, upper and lower tongues struck out from the standards and adapted to bend over the strip to secure the same thereto, said strip having means at the ends for securing the same to each other midway between two adjacent standards and having slit-s adjacent to said ends, a lad der composed of a single piece of sheet metal and having tongues to be introduced in said Yer to secure the lazzeer to the e? the standards and the ladder together,

means for mounting" a revolving windndards, a continu- Leann we .3 (1m s beams, sand strlp hm'lng menus at the ends for securing the same to each other and havmg f'hts uchaeent to sand ends, a 1;, composed of at slngle pleee 0' eel and having tongues to be intromrd slits and bent over to secure to the truss heems.

that I shim the foregoing lave hereto athxed my signaas my ture.

HENRY P. LONG. 

